Bobkov Comes Up Big as Admirals Shut Out IceCaps

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Rookie goaltender Igor Bobkov stopped all 38 shots he faced for his first career AHL shutout as the Norfolk Admirals (5-1-0-0) defeated the St. John’s IceCaps (4-4-0-0), 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at MileOne Centre. Next up for the Admirals is a pair of games against the Binghamton Senators at Scope on Friday and Saturday nights.

Patrick Maroon and John Mitchell scored for the Admirals, who were out-shot, 38-27. Norfolk killed all six St. John’s power plays in the game.

All of the game’s scoring came in the second period. The Admirals took a 1-0 lead midway through the stanza. Defenseman Ryan Parent, who had signed with the Admirals earlier in the week and was making his Norfolk debut, sent a shot from the left faceoff circle that IceCaps goaltender Eddie Pasquale stopped. However, Maroon found the rebound and put it past the goaltender at 11:33 for his fourth goal of the season.

Norfolk’s lead doubled in the waning moments of the second stanza as a St. John’s power play expired. Troy Bodie collected the puck as it ricocheted off the post behind Bobkov from an IceCaps power play shot. He then sent a long pass to Mitchell as he exited the penalty box. Mitchell broke in on Pasquale with a partial breakaway through the right circle. He sent a shot from the slot between Pasquale’s right leg and blocker at 19:49 for his third goal of the season.

Bobkov (3-0-0) shut the door the rest of the way, stopping 18 shots in the third period alone to preserve the victory.

Pasquale (25 saves, 27 shots) took the loss.

Norfolk was 0-for-2 on the power play. St. John’s was 0-for-6.

The Admirals return to Scope on Friday and Saturday nights to square off against the Binghamton Senators. The puck drops on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Friday night's game is Salvation Army Fundraiser Night. Please visit norfolkadmirals.com/groups for information about ordering discounted fundraising tickets to benefit The Salvation Army. These tickets may only be ordered online and may only be ordered through Thursday.

NOTES … Igor Bobkov improved to 7-1-0 in his AHL career with his first shutout in his ninth career AHL game. Prior to this season, he had played six games with the Syracuse Crunch following the conclusion of his junior seasons in 2010-11 and 2011-12 … Bobkov is now 3-0-0 with a 2.22 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in his first three games with Norfolk … Patrick Maroon (2g, 1a) has points in three straight games … Peter Holland (2g, 4a) saw his five-game point streak end … Sami Vatanen (2g, 4a) saw his three-game point streak end … Ryan Parent and John Kurtz made their Norfolk debuts … Did not play: Gabe Guentzel, Ryan Lasch, Garrett Klotz, Matt Smaby, Jay Rosehill.